The Washington critic., 1887-06-10
WASHINGTON, JUNE 10, 1887.
THE EurAULA MEMORIAL.

IL Is but natural that the Indians
should have objections to the Severalty
act, though 10 what extent these oh.
jections exist, or how tenaciously they
will be adhered to, as declared by the
delegates of the eighteen tribes now In
council at Eufaula, does not fully ap-
pear.
Commissioner Atkins Is inclined to
think that the five civilized tribes of
The Indian Territory, to which the act
does not apply, are merely assuming to
be the mouth.pieces of the other tribes
In this matter, while really acting in
the interest Of the cattlemen, who are
s,renuously opposed to any proceeding
that will cut up their ranges into small
farms.
The Eufaula memorial Is strong
document. however, regarded from an
Indian standpoint. A more powerful
appeal for the perpe,uation of condi-
tlons which the Indian considers essen.
tial to his safety was, perhaps, never
Issued. To quote what is said of the
obnoxious measure;
twill be q detriment to their interests, as
1t will in the near future engulf all of the
Indians and tribes OF the Territory IN one
catastrophe, to the enrichment OF land mo-
nopolles, against whom even those with tho
civilized machinery of justice seem powerless
TO secure their rights The Indian needs u
political identity, ap allegiance, called else
where patriotism, in order to make true
progress in the affairs Of life. The law to
which objection is urged enables the Indian
10 become n member Of some other body
polite by eecting and taking to himself q
quantity Of land which is at present the com
mon property Of all. The land.in.severalty
law apportions to each individual only part
Of that which is already his property, and
leaves the balance for sale TO Others, who will
be composed Of q class having no sympathy
for the Indians. who will rush into the new
country In their mad race for gain. and crowd
ont every hope and chance OF Indian ciyiliza'
tion.
As we say above, 1t Is but natural
that the Indians should protest against
Legislation that threatens to extinguish
their tribal identity and merge them In
a higher civilization. Their expert
ence Of the white race is not altogether
10 the la,ter's credit. They have found
the white man, in many cases, greedy,
rapacious and unscrupulous. They
are, consequently, suspicious Of any
measure that threatens to place them
more at the mercy of this greed,
rapacity and unsorupulousness, not be.
ing fully able to comprehend that the
theory of maintaining an empire within
~, ,py;ro ,Nop diTaropt or1opio bouae
is not compatible with the theory Of q
free and equal government.
The tenure of land in common Is the
last barrier that remains between the
Indian as he is and the Indian as thu
Government designs he shall be. De
stroy this and he becomes clothed will
an attribute of citizenship of which h,
may be slow to- recognize the ful
meaning or benefit, but which 1t Is es
senlial he should possess, unless tht
present tribal system is TO be perpet
nated.
The Government, however. will
doubtless proceed TO the enforcement
of the Severalty act with due regard t
the Interests thereby affected and sur
round the Indians who take advantag,
of Its provisions with every safe.guart
essential to the security of his newly
vested rights. The probability is thai
in time all the tribes will reconcil,
themselves to the changed condition Of
affairs, perceiving as they gradually
must perceive. that it is neither Il
their own nor to the advantage of tn,
people at large, that vast tracts of lant
should be left in commons for til,
special benefit of cattle herders or II
mere Difference to an aboriginal ira
dillon,